It seems like my olfactory bulbs have become more sensitive over the last few years. My tolerance level for gas and cigarette fumes has plummeted to the point of actually making me nauseous. Another thing I’ve noticed is a metallic taste whenever I use baking powder in a recipe. My hunch is that it’s coming from the sodium aluminum sulfate added to baking powder as a leavening agent.

My sisters and I used to make fun of our mom when she had trouble reading fine print. She would make a fist, leaving a tiny opening of light through her curled fingers, and then eye-to-fist-to-paper, she would be able to see the words. She swore it worked and we would just laugh.

I love having a bowl of piping hot soup or stew on cold nights. It’s a simple comfort that nourishes and satisfies. The following Moroccan Stew from Moosewood Restaurant is loaded with spices and vegetables that not only make it flavorful, but also full of health and longevity benefits.
The star of this stew is turmeric, a fragrant spice from the ginger family. It’s yellow pigment, curcumin, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is a popular healing compound in Chinese and Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine. Curcumin is also known for its antioxidant and cancer-inhibiting effects. Plus, it has been shown to lower cholesterol and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s. So, by all means, add more than the recipe calls for if you like the taste. Enjoy!

In 2004, Dan Buettner and National Geographic identified five Blue Zones on our planet where people live to be 100 at rates ten times greater than Americans. Okinawa, Japan is one of these Blue Zones and Okinawans are the longest-lived people in the world, with an average life expectancy of over 80 years. The people of Okinawa have many things working in their favor, starting with living in a tropical paradise.

Coconut water is a natural thirst quencher with several health benefits. In tropical countries it is used as a diuretic and to help treat urinary disorders and intestinal worms. It has even been used for IV hydration in emergency situations because it has a similar electrolyte balance to our blood (and it can be sterile when used directly from inside of the coconut). Pretty cool!

I’m sure a lot of green beverages (or should I say beverages in green bottles) will be consumed today in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. That’s why I thought it would be the perfect time to write about a green tea. After all, tea is the beverage most enjoyed by centenarians around the world. Even my 97-year-old grandmother drank green tea as part of her daily routine for decades, (Read “Growing Up Like Grandma” to learn more about what kept her young).

As a child I had the fortune of growing up in a tiny country in Central America called Belize. Living there gave me the chance to experience a different culture with unique traditions and customs. The food in Belize is as exotic as the country—breadfruit, conch fritters, plantain, golden plums, and pepitos.

Happy summer! One of my favorite parts of summer is enjoying all of her sweet & luscious fruits—peaches, plums, melons and berries—my mouth is watering just thinking about them. It’s no coincidence these juicy fruits appear during the hottest time of year. Their cooling thermal nature helps to cleanse and hydrate our bodies.

Peaches have a lot to offer besides tantalizing your taste buds. They are a good source of beta carotene and potassium, and contain some calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and vitamin C. They also have a variety of flavonoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin) that are known for promoting vision and reducing inflammation in the body. Peaches are easily digested and contain 1.5 grams of soluble fiber (per medium-size fruit). Oh, and my grandmother thinks they’re great for keeping the plumbing working!

It’s springtime and that means asparagus is fresh and plentiful. These green spears are full of wonderful nutrients like beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins C, E, & K, and fiber. Asparagus is also rich in the anti-oxidant, gluthathione, which plays an important role in detoxifying our bodies, boosting our immune & respiratory systems, preventing cataracts, and protecting our cells from dying prematurely.

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About Annette

Annette Cain is an award-winning author, endurance athlete, and certified personal trainer. Known as the Longevity Lady,™ Annette helps baby boomers age stronger so their bodies can keep up with their lives. Her ageless lifestyle products and programs provide an easy, balanced approach to becoming lean & limber and living younger longer.

Annette is available for speaking engagements and personalized fitness & ageless lifestyle coaching.